Cyprus Police
The Cyprus Police, is the national police service of the Republic of Cyprus, falling under the Ministry of Justice and Public Order since 1993.
The duties and responsibilities of the Cyprus police are set out in the amended Police Law of 2004 and include the maintenance of law and order, the prevention and detection of crime, as well as arresting and bringing offenders to justice.
History
Although the history of Law enforcement in Cyprus goes back to 1879 when the first Police Law was passed by the then British Colonial Government, which operated a mounted gendarmerie force known as the Cyprus Military Police, the history of the Cyprus Police begins with the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960.In 1960 two Public Security Forces were established within the framework of the Constitution: the Police Force, which was responsible for policing the urban areas, and the Gendarmerie, which was responsible for policing rural areas. A Greek-Cypriot Chief and a Turkish-Cypriot Chief administered the two Forces respectively.
The two forces of the police were joined to form the present police service during the year 1964, shortly after the intercommunal troubles between the Greek and the Turkish communities, as a result of which the Turkish Cypriot officers abandoned their posts. Additionally the conflict created great problems for the police, who had to handle the situation, along with the then sparsely manned Cypriot Army, because it was the only organized force.
With the creation of the Cypriot National Guard in 1964, the duties of military nature were transferred to the National Guard and the police was limited back to its usual duties.
Also notable is that a museum dedicated to the history of the Cyprus Police and Law enforcement in Cyprus in general exists, with a history of its own. The Cyprus Police Museum, owned by the Cyprus Police and managed by the Department A' of the Police Headquarters is open to the general public.
Authorities
The Cyprus Police operates and exercises its authorities throughout the territory of the Republic of Cyprus based on the following Laws and Regulations:- The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus
- Police Law
- Police Regulations
- Police Standing Orders
- Criminal Code Cap.154
- Criminal Procedure Law Cap.155
- Evidence Law Cap-9
- The Processing of Personal Data Law 138/2001
Structure and organisation
The structure and organisation of the Cyprus Police is governed by Police Ordinance 1/10 and is formed as stated below:Headquarters
The Police Headquarters is divided into different Departments/Directorates/Services and Units, each specializing in a different field/aspect of policing.Departments
- Department A'
- Department B'
- Department C'
- Department D'
- Research and Development Department
Directorates
- European Union & International Police Cooperation Directorate
- Materials & Supplies Management Directorate
- Airports Security Directorate
- Finance Directorate
- Directorate of Professional Standards
Services
- Aliens & Immigration Service
- Drug Law Enforcement Service
- Forensic Investigations Service
- Audit & Inspection Service
- Central Intelligence Service
Units
- Cyprus Police Academy
- Emergency Response Unit
- Presidential Guard Unit
- Port & Marine Police
- Cyprus Police Aviation Unit
Divisions
- Nicosia
- Limassol
- Larnaca
- Famagusta
- Paphos
- Keryneia
- Morphou
- Fire Service - The Fire Service used to operate as an independent Division based in Nicosia but with national coverage up to 15/10/2021 that was established as an independent service.
Ranks of the Cyprus Police
| Title | Chief constable | Deputy chief constable | Assistant chief constable | Chief superintendent | Superintendent A | Superintendent B | Chief inspector | Inspector | Senior sergeant | Sergeant | Acting sergeant / Senior Constable | Acting Sergeant | Senior constable | Constable | Special constable | - |
| Insignia |
Equipment
Vehicles
Markings
Cyprus Police cars are white with a blue stripe that goes around the car. On both sides they have printed on them the words POLICE and ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΑ, which means Police in Greek. They also have the logo of the Cyprus Police, usually on the front doors and also have printed on them the Police's website www.police.gov.cy. An exception to this is some of the cars used by the Neighbourhood Police that have the Neighbourhood Police logo instead of the Cyprus Police Logo. On the front part of the car they have again the logo with the words POLICE and ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΑ and at the back they could have, depending on the model of the car and the space available, the words Police in Greek and English or just the Cyprus Police insignia or both. On the roof they have printed a distinct number for each one as aerial roof markings.In 2011 a trial version for new markings was used on an old Opel Vectra patrol car. These were half-Battenburg markings with a highly reflective blue-yellow stripe on the sides instead of the solid blue stripe. Additionally the back was covered in reflective yellow-red diagonal stripes and had printed the emergency phone number 112. The front part on the hood of the car had the words ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΑ and POLICE printed inverted so that they would appear correctly when seen through a mirror. These markings were not enforced.
In 2012 new markings were enforced were the blue stripe although still solid was replaced with a highly reflective one, and the rear horizontal line was replaced from a solid blue stripe to a blue-white diagonal line similar to the rear usually found on vehicles with Battenburg markings.
The Cyprus Police also uses unmarked vehicles. Unmarked vehicles are not necessarily covert to be used for undercover work. Most unmarked cars are the same models as the patrol cars and they are mostly used by plain clothed officers such as crime investigators, crime prevention squads, technicians etc. Most of these cars are fitted with sirens and can be seen in the streets with detachable strobe lights.
Lists of vehicles
*Unless specifically referenced, the dates the vehicles entered service are based on their license plate registration numbers| Year entered service* | Motorcycle | Photo | Manufacturer | Production Model | Engine | Purpose | Notes |
| Honda CBX750 |  HondaAerial vehiclesBoatsIn popular cultureCyprus police has been the main feature and appeared in television shows such as:
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